Napa County Biographies
J. H. Steves
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
J. H. Steves, hardware dealer, St. Helena, is truly a representative
business man, commanding a large and constantly increasing trade and possessing
to the full the confidence and esteem of the community. He is a self-made man
in the best sense of that term, having had to make his own way from the
beginning. Although still young in years, he has already achieved what many far
older than he desires eagerly, namely, success and comfortable means.
Mr. Steves was born in Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois, June 12,
1851, and resided in his birth place until he was twenty years of age, attending
the common-schools of that place and afterward the High School at Rockford in
the same State. At Durand he served an apprenticeship of three years at the
tinsmith�s trade, and in 1871 moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, and there worked at
his trade, remaining with one firm during the whole six years of his stay. On
the first day of the year, 1877, he paid a visit to his home in Durand, and,
finding his father about to start for California, decided to accompany him.
They arrived in San Francisco, January 25, remained in that city a short time,
and then, hearing of the opportunities afforded in the Napa Valley, paid it a
visit. As a result Mr. Steves settled in St. Helena, finding employment in the
shops of W. L. Phillips, with whom he continued for a year and a half. Then
(August 13, 1878) bought out the tinware store of Mr. Phillips and began
business on his own account. This he carried on with increasing success, adding
to his plumbing and tinning business a general line of hardware, and taking the
agency for the Cyclone windmills, agricultural implements, wagons, etc.,
carrying in all a stock of a value approaching $20,000. He has also the agency
for Gladding, McBean & Co., of San Francisco, for terra cotta, drain tile, etc.
His store is a large and fine one in the new Odd Fellows� Building, of
dimensions 30x80 feet. In the large storage-yard is piled the drain tile, the
store presenting a well stocked and handsome appearance, such as is hardly to be
expected outside the large cities. In addition he has a shop 30x30 feet in
size, with storage-rooms adjoining of same size. He employs some eight or ten
people, under the direction of his efficient foreman, Mr. W. A. Bingham, who has
been with him for ten years, and has full charge during Mr. Steves� absence.
Mr. Steves is a strong Republican in politics, but is far too busy a
man to seek for or accept office, although an active worker in conventions and
during campaigns. He was married January 8, 1879, to Miss Ida S. Warren, a
native of California. They have three children: Henry Edgar, born November 12,
1879; Charles Emory, born August 5, 1881; and Warren Carlton, born May 20, 1884.
SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis
Publishing Company, 1891. pg. 350.